Australian born and self-described vagabond Stu Larsen and Japanese harmonica player Natsuki Kurai have announced a worldwide tour that will take them through North America, UK, Europe and Japan. In May, the duo will perform several dates in Japan before heading to the US & Canada later this summer and then on to the UK and Europe later in the year.

Earlier this month, the duo released their second EP together, aptly titled Stu Larsen & Natsuki Kurai II (via Nettwerk Records). The 4-song EP includes two original tracks – “MyPoor Father” and “Hajimari” – but, also two reinterpretations of tracks from Larsen’s last album Resolute – “Chicago Song” and “Going Back To Bowenville.” Natsuki adds a swagger and energy to Stu’s observations on life from his travels.

Nearly eight years ago, Natsuki and Larsen met in the middle of Tokyo and quickly connected with each other. “I spoke no Japanese and Natsuki didn’t speak English so we found we had to communicate in other ways. We both agree that this allowed us to form a deeper connection, without words,” says Larsen. Since then, they’ve continued traveling back and forth from Australia to Japan, playing shows and festivals along the way.